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Artwork for The Life of Letters

The Life of Letters

Laura Edralin
Calligraphy
Typography
Lettering
History Of Writing
Art
Ancient Inscriptions
Graphic Design
Graphology
Greek Literature
Speedball
Handwriting
Community Building
Phoenician Alphabet
Digital Art
Education
Synesthesia
Archaeology
Art Supplies
Linear A
Letters and Colors

A podcast on the history (and future) of calligraphy, penmanship, hand writing, lettering and much more. Hosted by me, Laura Edralin! I am on a journey to fill the gaps in my knowledge as a calligrapher, having light-hearted conversations with historians, artists, and stationery experts to discover the stories behind the pen and beneath the ink. This is for people who love the scratch of a nib on ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes48Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Visual ArtsArtsHistory

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Artwork for The Life of Letters

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Laura is joined by calligraphy and type designer Matthias Hertzberg for a fascinating look at his creative process, influences and projects - including a unique book cover and custom fonts that push the boundaries of letterforms. If ... more

YouTube

In this episode, Laura sits down with Alison Hitchcock who shares her remarkable journey from a city career to founding a letter writing charity, and the extraordinary power that heartfelt letters can have in healing and transforming lives. A beautif... more

YouTube

In this episode, Laura is joined by Pooja Saxena who shares her wonderful journey into the world of calligraphy, typography and Indian scripts. Together they explore the rich history and extraordinary diversity of letter forms, and what the future mi... more

YouTube

Ever wondered how the alphabet actually came to be? In this episode, Laura is joined by linguist and author Danny Bate for a fascinating conversation about the alphabet - where it came from, how it’s evolved and what the future might hold for written... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Matthijs Hertzberg
Founder, Hertzberg Design Co.
Hertzberg Design Co.
Episode: Designing for the Page: Book Covers and Beyond
Alison Hitchcock
Founder of From Me To You charity
From Me To You
Episode: From Me To You: Letters of Hope
Pooja Saxena
Award-winning typeface designer, lettering artist and typographer from India
Matra Type; Type Together (senior designer/PM)
Episode: The World of India’s Street Art: History, Diversity and Design
Danny Bate
Writer and linguist, author of Why Q Needs You
University of Edinburgh / Author
Episode: Why Q Needs U: A History of Letters
Carl Rohrs
Editor of the 26th edition of the Speedball Textbook
Speedball Art
Episode: Creating the 26th Edition of the Speedball Textbook
Richard Manning
Founder of wordsecrets.org, linguist and writer
wordsecrets.org
Episode: Exploring Etymology: The Origins of Words
Chris Campe
Designer and writer based in Hamburg, Germany; co-founded Berlin Letters Festival
The Intersection of Text and Image, Art and Design
Episode: Creating Alphabets and Protest Signs with Chris Campe
Angenise Rawls
Mumma artist specializing in calligraphy, engraving at the Graceful Pen Studio
Graceful Pen Studio
Episode: Written in Faith: Calligraphy, Kindness, and Community
Toshi Omagari
Type designer
Independent
Episode: Redesigning the Streets of London

Host

Laura Edralin
Host of The Life of Letters; blends calligraphy expertise with historical curiosity.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 26 ratings
  • Wonderfully Inspiring!

    It’s so wonderful to listen to a podcast where I can not only learn, but be inspired in a most wonderful way! The conversations are so enlightening and I love being inspired to become a better artist just by listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rawlsphotog
    United States8 months ago
  • Interesting and relaxing talks on unique aspects of creativity

    Learning about a whole new world of creativity, and not just writing with a pen, is a very interesting topic to listen to. Laura is such an engaging host with a wonderfully calm voice who allows the guests to really open up about their craft!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Monkeystyle69
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Fascinating!

    This podcast is becoming a quiet addiction for me … the stories are absolutely fascinating and Laura has such a deep knowledge and interest you really feel as though you are helping to keep an art alive when you listen to her and her guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LittleLoreMusic
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Something for everyone

    This podcast really is for everyone. Each podcast is varied and brings a different take on writing, lettering, typography, design and calligraphy in its daily use and as an art form. It discusses its development, uses and the people, history or background behind it all. I was totally intrigued by each episode and it made me want immediately look up the work of each person. It certainly makes you look at lettering, branding & handwriting in a completely different way and you notice and apprec... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maisxx1
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Loosely structured but deeply informed on lettering and writing history.
Interviews mix craft, research, and practical storytelling for creatives and historians.
Host brings calm, engaging presence that lets guests speak candidly.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#203
United Kingdom/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#247
Canada/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#172
Australia/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#28
Hong Kong/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#29
New Zealand/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#60
India/Arts/Visual Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Designing for the Page: Book Covers and Beyond
Q: Why letters? Where did this all start for you?
Matthijs explains that exposure to letters comes early, with reading starting around age four or five, and his own curiosity sparked by signs in the US that he started to imitate in his sketchbook, leading to a lifelong fascination with the intersection of art and utility in letterforms.
Exploring Etymology: The Origins of Words
Q: What sparked your interest in languages and linguistic patterns?
His interest began with family influences, especially his mother who was keen on how words relate to each other and how they should be spoken.
Creating Alphabets and Protest Signs with Chris Campe
Q: What is your approach to teaching lettering in your online course, given the breadth of lettering styles and tools?
I provide entry points that cover different perspectives rather than prescribing one style, focusing on basic structures like Roman capitals and calligraphy tools, then letting students pursue their own focus over time.
Redesigning the Streets of London
Q: How long did the City of London street-name typography project take, and what was involved?
The project followed a long preparation phase with research and image gathering; actual design work was relatively short, a few months, with most time spent on research and collecting street-name data, permissions, and historical context.
Redesigning the Streets of London
Q: Where did your sort of love of typography come from?
Toshi describes a shift from disliking calligraphy and drawing classes in Japan to discovering typography through English class and textbook lettering, sparking a lifelong curiosity that led him into art university, typography, and eventually professional font design.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Life of Letters

What is The Life of Letters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A show exploring the history and future of calligraphy, handwriting, lettering, and typography through thoughtful conversations with historians, designers, educators, and artisans. Episodes span Indian street lettering, alphabet origins, tool histories (Speedball, letterpress), shorthand revival, tattoo-script intersections, and archival love of handwritten letters, all treated with curiosity, practical detail, and a community-focused lens. Noteworthy elements include a strong craft-spirit, accessible explanations of technical topics, and guest lineups that blend academic insight with hands-on practice, making it appealing to designers, historians, letterpress enthusiasts, and letter lovers seeking deeper context behind the letters we use d... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Life of Letters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Life of Letters:

1. Ink Tank
2. ZOE Science & Nutrition
3. Creative Business Real Talk
4. The Pen Addict
5. The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

How many episodes of The Life of Letters are there?

The Life of Letters launched 2 years ago and published 48 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Life of Letters?

Recent guests on The Life of Letters include:

1. Matthijs Hertzberg
2. Alison Hitchcock
3. Pooja Saxena
4. Danny Bate
5. Carl Rohrs
6. Richard Manning
7. Chris Campe
8. Angenise Rawls

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